Dryden and Kayela relate their discovery about the Whispering Way, while the others tell of what they found outside the prison. You make plans for the next day.
"Darcy, there doesn't seem to be much of a nightlife in this town. I get the feeling that ghost stories are the major form of entertainment. As a special gesture though, just for us, there is the option of skulking around after dark, trying to see if we can see what is happening to the monument. Feel like doing some ghost-hunting?" Hasmir says with a mock sales-pitch, then drops it for a "Actually, do you have a nickname we can call you by?"
Still, I think there was a map of Ravengro mentioning some pubs and the like. Alcohol is one of the most popular ways to cope with a dreary, hopeless existence, after all.
"Very well, Arigoder." He nods. Speaking to the rest, "Seeing how it is getting late, let us attempt our endeavor on the morrow."
Kayela is sitting at the dining table at the Lorrimor estate sharpening her two daggers with her whetstone. She causally informs the rest of the party of what both she and Dyrden have uncovered about the whispering way, letting the cleric make his own introductions to the rest of the new arrivals.
She seems to perk up at Darcy's mention of exploring the towns nightlife, "While ah'd enjoy ah drink tah the proffesars memory, I feel dhat tonight I shall restrict my grieving tah more solemn less boisterous activities. Perhaps tomorrow, though tonight I'd like tah reflect on his passing without tah comfort of strong drink"
She then takes a look at the notes Hasmir took. She's obviously puzzled by the arcane runes, but upon the revelation that the name "Lyvar Hawkran" was repeated many times.
"In magic tah bind those from other planes, names ave a mysterious and strong power in such tasks....these runes puzzle mah mind bot perhaps tah whispering way was trying something of a similar nature 'ere"
She then turns to Hasmir "Do yah really believe whatever vandalized the monument will return the very next night of the act? Regardless I'd like to visit the professors grave to pay mah respects and conduct a seance with his spirit to determine if it was indeed the whispering way who took him from this mortal realm."
"I doubt I'll be getting much rest tonight so if the rest of you are planning on keeping watch I'd like to join, though I'm not very good at remaining hidden so I'll keep myself nearby and come to aid if something strange should happen to occur, the cool night air should serve to calm my nerves at the very least.
She then levitates a kettle off Kendra's stove with mage hand and pours herself a cup of coffee, "Would anyone else like some? It may aid you in keeping your faculties if you wish to join in on the watch" She takes a sip of the warm black brew as she guides the pot onto the table.
Hasmir has been standing up and humming a tune, tapping the wall behind him in rhythm with it. He nods at Kayela with a smile.
"Some tea would be great, ma'am. As for anything coming back to the monument... it's possible, that's all I can honestly say. I can't be certain, but I think it may be a good idea to keep an eye out. As for a seance, I'm not so sure how that will turn out. There was already an incident at the burial where some people were displeased, and in a place like that a "seance" may be misunderstood as something much darker. Do you need to be at his grave for that, anyway?"
Kayela looks surprised...An incident? Hmmmm... I'm not sure exactly how reliable ah seance would be tah start. Tah spirits of dah dead can be particular an such trinkets such as tah planchette you three acquired are not know fa deir reliability. I'm merely guessing proximity to the deceased mah prove more effective.
She continues unsure, "Perhaps ah seance conducted in his home would suffice, but it's also not unreasonable to try it at his grave as long as we take measures tah conceal it and not attract any attention. I am sure in these matters so whatever path seems tah wisest ta you all I'll humbly follow."
....she pauses for a moment and then says with a smile "I do wish tah visit the grave-site an make mah peace with his death with a prayer; I certainly wouldn't mind tah most pleasant company of a strapping young elvish man nor the pretty eyes of the charming traveler."
"I'm afraid I don have any tea though." she mentions causally as she tops off her cup, "Perhaps Kendra has some, still you're welcome ta mah brew. I might warn you it's a bit strong."
Finished with sharpening her prized bone hilted daggers she slides them carefully into their sheaths.
Kayela remembers that the name "Lyvar Hawkran" is the name of the warden who died in the fire at the prison.
" Perhaps the spirit planchette is not such a bad idea. We could learn something from it, but we must choose our question thoughtfully as we will only get one." Dryden pauses to think for a moment. "I feel the unnatural taint of undeath about these disturbances. I also think we should bring these drawings to Father Grimburrow at the Temple in the morning. He would probably know more about such things."
Hasmir smiles (although he looks a bit taken aback) at Kayela's words, and the smile only widens when she mentions the brew. "Sounds like just the thing for a chilly evening, then. Mind if I ask what went in it, or is it a family secret?"
"Anyway," he continues, "using the planchette would be wise, sure. Dryden, where do you think the professor's spirit would be most likely to reach? Here is where he lived for so long, and Harrowstone is where he died - I imagine either place would be better to try to reach him than the graveyard. So, do we leave checking out these symbols with the Pharasmites and the Scroll for tomorrow?"
"I think the Temple should be our main focus tomorrow as I get the feeling we're gonna spend a fair amount of time there. In the meantime, I think this evening would be best spend properly introducing ourselves and gettin to know each other a little better. I have know Kendra for a good deal of my life, but I barely know the rest of you, and it seems we'll be spending quite some time together."
"I also believe the temple should be our first priority. And I believe Sir Dryden may have a point as well. Now, if we decide to continue with the idea of a seance, who would conduct it? And, more importantly, what question would we impose upon the spirit? And as far as where to conduct it..." Morbury turns to Kendra, "Madam, would it be too difficult for you if we were to use the spirit planchette within the confines of your home? That is, if we decide to take such measures."
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The next morning you go as a group to the Temple. Father Grimburrow assigns an acolyte to help you find records. However, upon presenting the drawings of the runes to him, he scowls deeply and looks at you.
"You say these were painted around the base of Harrowstone in blood? That is very disturbing. This is a very complex ritual. It is used to capture and trap a ghost. In this case, the old warden himself. This is foul magic indeed. I have not seen such since..... I must send a letter to the Bishop of Caliphas immediately!"
Kayela is startled by father Grimburrow's reaction. She's slightly disturbed by the ease in which Grimburrow determined the runes and his mention of seeing them before.....
She continues her day researching at the temple praying to herself here and there for guidance in what records to select.
As she's getting nowhere fast on the subject, strange series of misfortune intervenes, she stubs her toe as she walks back to the records along a bookshelf. Various books from the very top come tumbling off thwacking her on the head. One of which catches her eye and provides a new perspective on her research.
Knowledge Local
Knowledge History (untrained)
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Kayela's chance fortune pays off. Not only do you find an important piece of information, but you find it relatively eraly. The acolyte tells you that there are some carvings on one of the tombs in the Restlands that give the story of one of the five notorious prisoners. If you go now, you will have enough time to study it. The info you gain from the document is this:
4) At the time Harrowstone burned, five particularly notorious criminals had recently arrived at the prison. While the commonly held belief is that the tragic fire began accidentally after the riot began, in fact the prisoners had already seized control of the dungeon
and had been in command of the lower level for several hours before the fire. Warden Hawkran triggered a deadfall to seal the rioting prisoners in the lower level, but in so doing trapped himself and nearly two dozen guards. The prisoners were in the process of escaping when the panicked guards accidentally started the fire in a desperate attempt to end the riot.
Knowledge: Local -
Knoweledge History;
(-4 if the check is local instead of history.)
Hasmir will take the first re-roll.
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You arrive at the tomb in the Restlands and begin looking at the carvings. It appears to be a depiction of the occupant's death. It shows stirges feeding on his body while in the background is a figure that appears to be playing pipes. Darcy remembers a story she heard locally and you learn this:
The Piper of Illmarsh (real name unknown):
Before he snatched his victims, the Piper taunted his targets with a mournful dirge on his flute. He preferred to paralyze lone victims by dosing their meals with lich dust and then allowed his pet stirges to drink the victims dry of blood.
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It is getting dark as you begin to leave the Restlands. As you discuss the new information and Darcy relates the story of the Piper of Illmarsh, A chance movement catches Darcy's eye. Suddenly a skeletal arm thrusts upwards from a grave. You all notice several other graves bulging from beneath. Bodies in very different states of decay begin to climb from their graves.
skellies
zombies
Akydidya
Hasmir
Morbury
Darcy
Dryden
Arigoder
Kayela
There are 4 zombies and 4 skeletons.
Kayela looks startled for a moment before smiling a toothy smile and shouting, "Abominationibus tuis dormitationem exoriens vile fuit error. Gaudete et ponent te tergum ut ego huc ad quietem!" with a gleeful cackle.
She then calms herself and drops her pale glowing morning star. As it falls from her hands seemingly defying gravity it wisks itself off in a random direction landing 10ft away from her. She then pulls a pinch of silver dust and salt from her spell component pouch and recites the incantation under her breath, "Si ambulavero in medio eorum scelera non vile labe gratia me." her hand glows white as she touches it to her holy symbol that graces her chest casting protection from evil.
She then faces the zombies as she draws her brothers bone hilted dagger and prepares to burn her immediate action for the turn causing misfortune to befall an enemy;
"Rising from your slumber was a mistake vile abominations. Rejoice and come hither as I shall lay you back down to rest!"
"Though I walk in the midst of abominations their vile taint shall not grace me."
"By the gods!" Hasmir exclaims, startled, and. Unsure (to put it mildly) what his bow would do to a rotting corpse, he draws a sharp, slightly curved knife from a scabbard on his belt and looks around as the creatures are unearthing themselves. "What is going on, this is supposed to be a proper graveyard minded by its Lady."
Note: Have Imp. Shield Bash, so I don't lose my shield from AC.
Arigoder winces as the dead bodies move to attack, Unnatural things, even more foul than they smell... Seeing them swarm Kayela, he snarls slightly and moves to shield her, drawing his warhammer as he does so. Unfortunately, his haste in drawing the weapon and swinging pulls him off-balance just enough to ensure he fails to make contact with either his warhammer or his shield. He curses himself, unaware that he's spoken aloud, "By the Vault, you're better than that!"
As what looks to be a rather deadly blow seems to land on Akydi, at the very last second, he slips on some loose dirt and the strike misses him entirely. Regaining his balance, he decides one close call is good enough for this fight and summons forth some protection.
Morbury draws his weapon as he moves to the nearest zombie, hoping to end it's existence for good.
Kayela smiles widely at Arigoder during his wild swings miss and remarks, "Donec ut domina est, quando aliquis vindicatur." knowing full well he can't her understand her as a slight grin forms on her face.
Hasmir looks around for a short time and, seeing the others are already getting to it, whips the dagger at the nearest zombie with a practiced motion. Not practiced enough, unfortunately, as in the near dark he misses his target by a foot...
Darcy re-positions to get a clear bow shot.
Shortbow, Point Blank shot[
Arrow Damage, Point Blank Shot
Dryden winces from the hit, but he steps back and equips his shield, then he unleashes a wave of positive energy.
channel (DC13)
Morbury swings again, hoping to actually hit the zombie this time.